I just got my results, and I don't even know what to think any more:
Gluten/Antigenic Food Sensitivity Stool Panel
Fecal Anti-gliadin IgA 9 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-casein (cow’s milk) IgA 3 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-ovalbumin (chicken egg) IgA 3 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-soy IgA 3 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Tex--ok to add these to your files!
Since the test, i've been avoiding gluten like crazy, yet still having symptoms (more C than D, bloating, cramping). i thought i'd wait until the test to see if it was dairy, eggs or soy that was the offender--guess not? i am seriously confused and frustrated right now. and i've had my IgA tested, so that's not it, either. So first--my colitis is 'gone' according to the doc, and now it isn't food related?
big sigh......
Enterloab Results (as feared)
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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fluffypoodle
- Adélie Penguin
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- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:51 am
Hmmmmm. You definitely have a non-typical case.
There is still a possibility that you may have food sensitivities. Here's why:
All antibody-based testing is so specific that each test can only test for antibodies to one unique protein. That applies to both blood tests (such as the classic celiac blood tests), and to EnteroLab's stool tests. In the case of gluten, for example, both the blood test and the stool test detect antibodies to the alpha gliadin peptide, because this is by far the most common antigen in wheat to which celiacs react.
But (and this is a huge "but") research shows that there are over 300 other peptides in wheat, rye, barley, and oats to which some people react. That means that it's theoretically possible that you may not be sensitive to the alpha gliadin peptide (as shown by the EnteroLab result), but you might be reacting to one or more of the other 300 peptides that are possible candidates. That same situation apples to the dairy tests for casein, the tests for soy, egg albumen, etc. IOW, you may not be sensitive to the primary allergenic protein in these foods, but instead you react to other less-prominent prominent proteins in those foods.
IMO though, it's probably too large of a coincidence that this would happen with every food tested. Therefore, IMO you may indeed not have these food sensitivities, but something else is going on instead.
Are you taking any medications or supplements. There are many drugs that can trigger MC, and if that's what's happening in your case, discontinuing the drug should bring lasting remission without any additional intervention (such as diet changes).
Or, in my strictly unprofessional opinion, it's even possible that severe chronic stress could be the sole cause of your MC symptoms. Could that be the case?
Did you by any chance order the DNA test? Knowing which genes you have (associated with gluten sensitivity) might possibly shed some light on the mystery.
Thanks, I'll add your results to our list.
Tex
There is still a possibility that you may have food sensitivities. Here's why:
All antibody-based testing is so specific that each test can only test for antibodies to one unique protein. That applies to both blood tests (such as the classic celiac blood tests), and to EnteroLab's stool tests. In the case of gluten, for example, both the blood test and the stool test detect antibodies to the alpha gliadin peptide, because this is by far the most common antigen in wheat to which celiacs react.
But (and this is a huge "but") research shows that there are over 300 other peptides in wheat, rye, barley, and oats to which some people react. That means that it's theoretically possible that you may not be sensitive to the alpha gliadin peptide (as shown by the EnteroLab result), but you might be reacting to one or more of the other 300 peptides that are possible candidates. That same situation apples to the dairy tests for casein, the tests for soy, egg albumen, etc. IOW, you may not be sensitive to the primary allergenic protein in these foods, but instead you react to other less-prominent prominent proteins in those foods.
IMO though, it's probably too large of a coincidence that this would happen with every food tested. Therefore, IMO you may indeed not have these food sensitivities, but something else is going on instead.
Are you taking any medications or supplements. There are many drugs that can trigger MC, and if that's what's happening in your case, discontinuing the drug should bring lasting remission without any additional intervention (such as diet changes).
Or, in my strictly unprofessional opinion, it's even possible that severe chronic stress could be the sole cause of your MC symptoms. Could that be the case?
Did you by any chance order the DNA test? Knowing which genes you have (associated with gluten sensitivity) might possibly shed some light on the mystery.
Thanks, I'll add your results to our list.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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fluffypoodle
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:51 am
thanks for your thoughts, Tex!
i've taken many drugs on and off in my life (er, meds, not drugs drugs); most recently cymbalta and (even more recently) topamax (for migraine prevention). i don't even take excedrin any more; my birth control was stopped back in April (and switched to a IUD).
as for stress--well, that's possible, i am a chronic "worrier" and i have anxiety issues (hence the cymbalta). i work in a stressful field; live in a town of overachievers; etc. however, my GI issues started a long, long time ago--back to my pre-teen years. i can explain the flares during college, law school and now--but back then my life was far from stressful! and there were no meds in my life back then, either!
so confusing. i just hate the pregnant look and feel. and the seeming inability to drop the weight. and the fatique and joint pain.
Edited to add--i didn't get the DNA test, I didn't think it'd help since I am not in a child-producing business and my parents aren't interested (so they say). :)
i've taken many drugs on and off in my life (er, meds, not drugs drugs); most recently cymbalta and (even more recently) topamax (for migraine prevention). i don't even take excedrin any more; my birth control was stopped back in April (and switched to a IUD).
as for stress--well, that's possible, i am a chronic "worrier" and i have anxiety issues (hence the cymbalta). i work in a stressful field; live in a town of overachievers; etc. however, my GI issues started a long, long time ago--back to my pre-teen years. i can explain the flares during college, law school and now--but back then my life was far from stressful! and there were no meds in my life back then, either!
so confusing. i just hate the pregnant look and feel. and the seeming inability to drop the weight. and the fatique and joint pain.
Edited to add--i didn't get the DNA test, I didn't think it'd help since I am not in a child-producing business and my parents aren't interested (so they say). :)
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
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- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
I am someone that had digestion issues their whole life......
Stress is only one possible major trigger....
Hormone fluctuations can be another.
If you have mast cell/histamine issues then maybe non food items are part of what is causing issues, Plants/flowers, cleaning products, is your house damp at all?
You may not be getting the normal allergic symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes - instead it is flaring your digestion.....
Sorry the results did not bring the clarity you wanted....
Have you kept a food /reaction journal?- you could maybe expand this to note locations, events, and see if you can identify what might be causing the issues...
It does seem overwhelming and a lot of work, but it is something that could give you the answers!!!
Good luck.....
Stress is only one possible major trigger....
Hormone fluctuations can be another.
If you have mast cell/histamine issues then maybe non food items are part of what is causing issues, Plants/flowers, cleaning products, is your house damp at all?
You may not be getting the normal allergic symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes - instead it is flaring your digestion.....
Sorry the results did not bring the clarity you wanted....
Have you kept a food /reaction journal?- you could maybe expand this to note locations, events, and see if you can identify what might be causing the issues...
It does seem overwhelming and a lot of work, but it is something that could give you the answers!!!
Good luck.....
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Going back to my infectious theory of autoimmunty...did you have mono (EBV) as a teen? Have we already crossed this off the list? Any suspicious tick bites? Summertime flus? Did you have to get vaccinated as an adult for your job? Hep B vaccine in particular? Any GI infections overseas or food poisoning episodes here? I am convinced there is a microbial or viral component to my condition, which triggered the gluten sensitivity (and genes) later in life. It will probably trigger my demise in the form of lymphoma someday. Positive thoughts, eh?
Then there's the issue of the toxic water supply (and people! and air!) in our town, not to mention it was built on a swamp with the potential for strange microbes, bugs, pollen, etc. The mid-Atlantic has the highest rates of food allergies in the country. That means something, just haven't figured it out yet.
Then there's the issue of the toxic water supply (and people! and air!) in our town, not to mention it was built on a swamp with the potential for strange microbes, bugs, pollen, etc. The mid-Atlantic has the highest rates of food allergies in the country. That means something, just haven't figured it out yet.
1987 Mononucleosis (EBV)
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
2004 Hypomyopathic Dermatomyositis
2009 Lymphocytic Colitis
2010 GF/DF/SF Diet
2014 Low Dose Naltrexone
The bloated thing is so uncomfortable. I'm sorry you are still stuck in the twilight zone :(
What about sugars and sugar alcohols? My cousin is suffering from malabsorption problems and this may be at least part of your problem. Have you looked at the FODMAP food list? This is a list of foods that one should stay away from if they are not producing the enzymes to break down the sugars in foods. They end up in the large intestine and feed the bacteria there and ferment ( bloating). Wheat is on that list, so don't start munching on wheat just yet!
It's worth a look
Leah
What about sugars and sugar alcohols? My cousin is suffering from malabsorption problems and this may be at least part of your problem. Have you looked at the FODMAP food list? This is a list of foods that one should stay away from if they are not producing the enzymes to break down the sugars in foods. They end up in the large intestine and feed the bacteria there and ferment ( bloating). Wheat is on that list, so don't start munching on wheat just yet!
It's worth a look
Leah
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fluffypoodle
- Adélie Penguin
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- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:51 am
Zizzle, hmm, never had mono or anything. I did get vaccinated for the military as an adult, of course, including hep B and everything else they make you get. As for food poisoning, the only bad episode I've ever had is this thing I believe was the noro virus that I brought home from an Alaskan cruise. That was fun. But the issues have been happening before then!
Leah, the sugars and fermenting question is actually a very interesting one. I've been considering that myself a lot. Ever since my gallbladder got taken out, I haven't been able to absorb fats, but it seems as though the bloating is really pronounced after I eat something with sugar, like an apple or a potato or even some veggies. I need to take a further look into this.
Not diving into wheat just yet, no worries!
Leah, the sugars and fermenting question is actually a very interesting one. I've been considering that myself a lot. Ever since my gallbladder got taken out, I haven't been able to absorb fats, but it seems as though the bloating is really pronounced after I eat something with sugar, like an apple or a potato or even some veggies. I need to take a further look into this.
Not diving into wheat just yet, no worries!